Proposal to Exempt York Energy Centre from Planning Act

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has posted a proposed regulation on the Environmental Registry for public review and comment for 45 days.

The proposed regulation will enable streamlined land use approvals for the York Energy Centre in northern York Region. This is required to allow the development of this new gas-fired generation facility to meet the need for new, clean, reliable power in an area of rapid growth.

Ontario has the responsibility to ensure a reliable energy supply for Ontarians. Supply in York Region is insufficient to meet the needs of a region where demand has been forecast to grow by three times the provincial average. Any interruption could have serious and widespread impacts and affect power supply to residences, businesses and institutions like hospitals and schools. The Independent Electricity System Operator says a solution is needed to ensure Northern York Region has a secure supply consistent with reliability standards

Power consumers in northern York Region have a right to an electricity supply they can rely upon.

The York Energy Centre was procured through a provincial process culminating in December 2008. The project completed the environmental assessment requirement and received Ministry of Environment approval for an electricity project of this type.

It has an in-service date of next year, in order to meet a critical local area need.